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The Spanish Flu and COVID-19: effects on children
In the last year a new pandemic known as COVID-19 has created similar struggles world-wide. The magnitude of both diseases have wreaked havoc on society as a whole, but some of the population, such as children have been impacted greatly. These effects have short and long term effects which may become adverse childhood effects or ACE's. Comparing the events of the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 may allow us to see patterns which can be leveraged to prevent further ACE's among children. -
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The Spanish Flu (Influenza Pandemic 1918)
The Spanish Flu began in winter of 1918, crushing the lives of many. Also known as the H1N1 virus, the quick spread of the illness resulted in a global pandemic. Through this time, there was a high mortality rate in young, healthy people which was an unusual feature that increased fear throughout the nation. As adults continued to work to provide for their families, some fell ill, leaving their children orphaned. Over time as more and more fell ill, schools began to close as well as businesses. -
Pupils Kept Home Because of Influenza
The rapid spread of the Spanish Flu impacted students and teachers alike. In this New Haven newspaper, we learn that most students were kept home as per their parents decisions. Some schools remained open, keeping teachers and staff vulnerable to the virus. There were split views at the time if schools should close or remain open. For some parents insisting that students return in a time where a deadly virus existed, children staying home must have been challenging physically and emotionally.(1) -
American Children Make Toys for the Refugee Kiddies Overseas
In addition to a global pandemic, the United States was also in the midst of World War II. Some children spent their time out of school creating toys to send overseas to child refugees. This photograph of two boys from Denver, Colorado, captures what seems to be a relatively joyful and generous moment in time. Children nationwide may have felt a brief sense of hope when glancing at this photo in the paper, only to be reminded that on top of an invading virus, loved ones were serving overseas.(2) -
Discovery of Adverse Childhood Effects (ACE's)
The CDC discovered Adverse Childhood Effects or ACE's through a study in the mid 1990's. Although ACE's from the Spanish Flu are not clearly listed due to the term not existing at the time, through the objects collected, we can determine that those difficult times impacted the juvenile community. This idea is made more comprehensible through our personal sense of the world today; by observing those children living through the COVID-19 pandemic. -
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COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 virus was declared a global pandemic in March of 2020. A year into the pandemic, we have created a vaccine and there is hope for an end in sight. However, a full year has already passed, meaning that a year of damage has occurred. Among those lost and permanently changed from the new norm, children are still bearing great challenges. Although the CDC has not declared the COVID-19 pandemic a cause of ACE's, we still are unaware of the long-term effects this year has left on children. -
COVID-19 Mental Health Changes in Children
At this point, children have been out of school for nearly a full calendar year. While some short-term effects are already visible, long-term effects are still growing. A year out of school may mean a year of no lunches for those who rely on schools to provide a meal. These changes in schedule have also increased anxiety, depression, and various other mental health issues among children. The result will remain a constant obstacle in these children's lives for the entirety of their adulthood.(3) -
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Bibliography
- “Pupils Kept Home Because of Influenza.” The New Haven Evening Register, October 16th, 1918. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/idx/f/flu/0580flu.0006.850/1/--pupils-kept-home-because-of-influenza?rgn=subject;view=image;q1=child+welfare.
- American children make toys for the refugee kiddies overseas. 1918. Mountain Division, Denver, Colorado, American Red Cross. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/american-children-make-toys-for-the-refugee-kiddies-overseas.
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Bibliography (cont.)
- Aten, Jamie D. "Covid-19 Mental Health Effects on Children and Adolescents Unit 2 Assessment Artical." Psychology Today, (May 22, 2020): DOI, https://covid-19archive.org/s/archive/item/29310.